Influence of positive degree−days and sunshine duration on the surface ablation of Hansbreen, Spitsbergen glacier
ABSTRACT: The results of a statistical analysis of the influence of the Hansbreen surface ablation relative to selected meteorological parameters (air temperature and sunshine dura− tion) are presented here. Over the period 1989–2001 the lowest summer balance on the sur− face ablation of Hansbreen w...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.579.9668 http://www.polish.polar.pan.pl/ppr23/ppr23-227.pdf |
| Summary: | ABSTRACT: The results of a statistical analysis of the influence of the Hansbreen surface ablation relative to selected meteorological parameters (air temperature and sunshine dura− tion) are presented here. Over the period 1989–2001 the lowest summer balance on the sur− face ablation of Hansbreen was recorded in 1994 (–0.56 m water equivalent). Concurrently, both the air temperature (mean seasonal ~2.3°C) and the sunshine duration (seasonal sum ~278.9 h) were at their lowest. Owing, to the relatively high sunshine duration (676.5 h), the highest values were in 1998 (–1.71 m w.e.); likewise, in 2001 (–1.84 m w.e.) when a high air temperature (mean of 3.6°C) occurred. The statistical models erected on the basis of these data allow us to estimate fairly reliably the seasonal ablation of Hansbreen. The basis of these is the reasonably reliable relationship determinable between the seasonal sum of PDD (positive degree days) and the ablation intensity changes in respect of altitude above sea level. Sunshine duration is regarded here as being of very little significance in terms of increasing the accuracy of the models. The errors inherent in this models varies from 28 % to as little as 7%. Shown models may eventually find application as a method of calculating the amount of water resulting from the decay of tidewater glaciers. Key words: Antarctic, Spitsbergen, Hansbreen, surface ablation, sum of PDD. |
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